Annabella (Bella) Third grew up in a Christian family, attended a Christian school, and last year as a 17-year-old gained her accreditation as a lay preacher. We introduce arguably the youngest lay preacher in the Methodist Church of New Zealand.

Growing up as the youngest of four siblings in Waitoki, a small rural town north of Auckland, Bella says she was always invested in the church, constantly yearning to learn more about the bible and to delve into information gleaned from sermons. A regular attendee at Red Beach Methodist Church, Bella attended Kingsway Christian School in Orewa for her entire primary and secondary schooling.

Attending youth group as a teenager, Bella recognised that her interest in faith and theology was different from that of her peers. “At youth group, I was always keen to go deeper than anyone else.” From a young age she was heavily involved in helping out with services, so when Rev Andrew Gamman approached her in 2020 and invited her to consider a lay preachers course, despite being only 15 years old, Bella thought about it and decided, “Yes, that might be quite cool”.

“Initially, I did not see myself as a lay preacher, but when I considered Rev Andrew’s invitation, it seemed like a good idea,” Bella says.

In 2020 Bella joined people from a range of north Auckland parishes, meeting monthly on a Saturday to attend lay preacher workshops and training modules. Those sessions were supplemented by many hours of self-directed learning and study. Bella admits that attending the workshops was a little intimidating at first. “The person closest in age to me was 44 years old, and others were much older than that,” she laughs. Throughout this training period, Bella was becoming increasingly involved with Whangaparoa Parish services, leading prayers and selecting hymns and often, contemporary songs. She led her first service in August 2020 at Waitoki Church at the age of 16.

Rev Andrew Gamman and Rev Hui Young Han have been instrumental in Bella’s faith journey, recognising her exceptional intelligence and faith commitment since first meeting her. “Bella has always been keen and committed; her enthusiasm and ability to communicate with older parishioners is exceptional,” says Andrew. When the Waitoki congregation was reduced to three elderly parishioners, Rev Andrew started an experimental, free-form church service on a monthly basis, in the hope of attracting non-regular and younger churchgoers to the informal services.

Bella adapted enthusiastically to the worship style, bringing a youthful approach that appealed to the mixed-age group that attended. “She has always been flexible and recognises that worship works at a different level for different people. She loves learning, she is humble and she is sincere,” Andrew says.

Since she started her training toward accreditation, Bella has noticed a significant change in her appreciation of church hymns and liturgy. “I grew up experiencing modern worship, and modern worship songs. I was often bored by liturgy. I have grown to love the traditional hymns and I have a greater understanding of liturgy. It is so intentional and I find that so beautiful in all its different aspects,” she says.

This year Bella is heading to Dunedin to study health sciences at Otago University. She is keeping her options open as to where that initial course might take her. She is looking forward to finding a local church and getting connected to the parish and congregation, whether or not it has Methodist connections. “I love the Methodist viewpoints and standing on certain things. I grew up with some harsh views on enforcement, rules, and practices. Methodism is more loving and accepting and about being the best person you can be. I do also love modern services and being around younger people. I may not have the same fellowship in a Methodist church.”

Regardless of the church community she joins in Dunedin, Bella will always be warmly welcomed as an integral member of the Whangaparoa Parish. “We will always make room for her at any of our three churches,” Andrew says.

Bella contributed her first reflection in Touchstone in February. She will be a regular contributor, alternating with Rev Dr Susan Thompson and Rev Dr Mary Caygill. We welcome the youthful insight she will bring. Editor.